You have finally made the decision to tie the knot. Congratulations! This is a big life changing event--making a commitment to the one person you want to walk through life with as your lover, partner and best friend. With the right preparation, your dream day can go exactly as planned. But the key here is planning. There are many things to take into consideration-both big and small, so it is important to prepare well for all of them. One of the biggest parts of your day is the actual wedding ceremony. It sets the tone for the beginning of your life together. Knowing the anatomy of a ceremony, is a big help when you are mulling over the thoughts of what you would like to include. A customized wedding ceremony is designed to meet your wishes for what you want to express to each other on your special day. Below are some of the parts that can be incorporated in your ceremony- you decide what you want. Prelude: This is the playing of background music provided during the seating of the guests, setting the mood for the ceremony enhancing both the romantic atmosphere and depth of meaning of the sacred ceremony itself. Questions to consider- will this be live music or pre-recorded? Traditional or nontraditional? A popular choice among many couples is Cannon in D Major by Pachelbel. An extensive listing of wedding songs can be found on Wedding Wire, take a look, then go to youtube to listen. Also, music can be incorporated into your ceremony at any point you wish.

Pre-Processional: This is sometimes referred to as the "Seating of the Mothers". The last guests to be seated before the Processional. If a unity candle ceremony is being performed, the mothers frequently light their representative candles at this time.

Processional: This is how everyone in the wedding party gets to the front of the wedding sitewhere the ceremony is held. Special processional music is usually played during this time.

Presentation of the Bride: The officiant asks the bride's escort a question to the effect of "who brings Bride here to marry Groom?"

Convocation: This is the ceremonial gathering of family and friends to your ceremony... supporting, sharing, witnessing and welcoming all to the ceremony.Invocation: Asking God (or any Higher Power) to bear witness...this can be meditative and or reflective.Readings: Reading selections can be from your own writings or any other sources. The purpose can be inspirational, contemplative, or to expand views about love and commitment. If including readings, think about who will be doing them. This is the lead into the Address.

Address: Thoughts on Marriage. A message of celebration-- a personal message to the couple from the officiant. It is meant to inspires the guests to think about the deep sense of the meaning of love and the value of this sacred union.

Expression of Intent: Makes public your desire to commit to each other, to go forward with making your promises, and acknowledges your intention to go forward into marriage. This is asked in question format from the officiant to the couple.

Vows: The emotional and spiritually binding part of your ceremony in the presence of witnesses. Heartfelt and specific promises are made to one another. These may be read from card or repeated after the officiant. The vows can be written by the couple or the officiant, they can be predesigned or a combination of both.

Rings: Blessing & Exchange: The exchanging of wedding rings is a symbol of your bond lasting. It expresses most purely the meaning you want to live by. Vows are exchanged here, they can be custom written by the couple or officiant, predesigned or a combination of both.

Rituals: Special parts of the ceremony that elevates the message of your sacred union. There are many different types of rituals that can be incorporated into your ceremony and they can be placed wherever you wish them to be throughout the celebration. A few examples of traditional rituals are the Unity Candle Ceremony, the Sand Ceremony or the Rose Ceremony. In a later blog post I will cover examples of various rituals often included in ceremonies.

Pronouncement of Union: Here the officiant publicly proclaims that you are united in partnership.

The Kiss: The couple is asked to seal their ceremony promises with a kiss.

Benediction/Blessing: The final ceremonial part- sending you off as a couple with blessings and good wishes.

Announcement of Couple: This is your first public introduction as husband and wife or life partners to your family and friends.

Recession: Together, you exit the ceremony setting, leading your attendants. Recessional music is played

If you are celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary this year, you may want to take a stroll down memory lane. The year- 1964.Tom Jones- wins the Oscar for Best Picture of the YearSt. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees in the World SeriesCleveland Browns beat Baltimore Colts in the Super BowlGilligan's Island premiered on TVFord Mustang debuted at the New York World's FairBeatles have the top hit: I Want to Hold Your HandGI Joe debutsMartin Luther King wins the Nobel Peace PrizeLyndon B Johnson was president Price for 2 movie tickets was $1.86- a much cheaper date than today!Minimum Wage was $1.15Acrylic Paint was inventedPermanent Press Fabric was inventedFord Mustang enters the scene for $2368- don't you wish your could travel back in time?Diet Pepsi is introduced

Some Other Prices:Gallon of Gas $0.25Average Yearly Income $5,880Cost of a Stamp: $0.05Oh how things can go through the twists and turns of change over 50 years time! The one thing that doesn't change is celebrating your Golden Anniversary. For those who will include a vow renewal in that special celebration, visit Many Blessings Ministry to see the offerings. We would be delighted to help create the perfect ceremony for your special day.

There are many ways to customize your wedding reception in a unique way that reflects you without costing a fortune. To come up with an idea think about the things you and your partner like? Do you have a favorite activity? Is there something you are know for as a couple? This may trigger you in a particular direction, and get the wheels turning. Otherwise, look at the ideas below. Maybe they can be used as is, or modified to fit your personality and style.

1. Popcorn Bar How much fun is this! Have some basic popcorn ready on a table with toppings and personalized bags with your names. The sign there says it all- snatch, scoop, spritz, sprinkle, shake and savor.

2. Coffee & Tea Bar You and your guests have enjoyed a delicious meal, now they are looking for something hot to drink, why not set up a coffee and tea bar with a variety of different options. Not only will your guests be delighted by the number of choices, it will give them the energy to dance the night away.

3. Build Your Own Trail Mix Bar Here's one that can satisfy all types of tastes. In jars set out an assortment of choices, include things that are sweet, salty, savory and healthy. Place a spoon for scooping in each jar. Have personalized bags or jars for your guest to fill.

4. Fresh Baked Cookies I once attended a wedding that was under a big beautiful tent and when dessert time rolled around, the caterer rolled out two industrial style table top ovens and popped in trays of prepared cookie dough. As we were drinking coffee, the aroma of fresh baked cookies wafted through the air teasing everyone. I can still smell the scent of those cookies from that evening when I think back to that occasion.

5. Donut Bar Who doesn't like donuts? Go as simple or as fancy as you want, have just a few types on the table or have a bakery shop size selection. Whatever way you go, this is sure to please your guests.

6. Oreo Cookie Wedding Cake Not cake people, and would rather not have one, then how about cookies. Using oreo cookies, a beautiful wedding cake structure can be designed. Put your little bride and groom figurine on top and your substitute is complete. Ok, so you really do want a cake, well have a couple of other cakes as well- cookie cakes that is. Select a few round cookies, design a few cakes using the idea shown in the picture. It will certainly capture the eye of your guests. These cakes can be kept out during the reception for people to nibble on throughout the night. Have personalize napkins or paper dishes for them to take the goodies back to their tables.

7. Cupcake Bar Using cupcake holder trays, the illusion of a wedding cake can be created. In this picture, they actually have a small cake on one of the cupcake stands. This works well if you are looking to cut the costs down on the reception. You still get to cut the cake, but eliminate the big price tag. Make cupcakes that are mini versions of your actual wedding cake.

Having children participate in your wedding adds a special touch to your ceremony, but you need to remember they are kids, so here are some tips to help the day go smoothly.Expect the Unexpected No one is perfect, and as adorable as kids may be, they can also be very unpredictable. Some are shy, some are extremely energetic, some can become easily upset. and some seem to have a totally different personality when your big day finally arrives. If you approach the day with a "let's see what happens" attitude, being prepared to take everything in stride, and have a backup plan, everything should work out for both you and the children.

Make Sure the Kids Want to ParticipateYour little niece or nephew may be so precious that you can't imagine them not being your flower girl and ring bearer. Your teenage stepdaughter would make the perfect junior bridesmaid. You have imagined how perfect your entry into the ceremony will be, and how delightful it is to have these kids who mean so much to you being part of your big day. Just make sure when you ask them to participate, you honor their response. If they don't want to be a part of the ceremony, pressuring them to be involved can end up with less than delightful results, no matter how much you have imagined it differently.

When planning your wedding ceremony, you may want to include a special reading that says at a heartfelt level what you are feeling. I would like to share with you one of my favorites written by Wilferd Arlan Peterson. The Art Of A Good MarriageWilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.It is at no time taking the other for granted; The courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor, It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, It is being the right partner. To find more wedding readings, visit Many Blessings Ministry Resource page

Many Blessings Ministry

Most couple’s feel that their love is truly unique, having a special bond between the two of them that no one else will ever experience in quite the same way. And they’re right! Writing your own vows can be an intensely moving and intimate way to create a ceremony that truly reflects the way you feel about each other.

Before you can effectively express your feelings, you’ll need to identify them. It’s important to talk to each other about your marriage, discussing your beliefs, dreams, and expectations. Take what you have discussed and use it as the foundation for building your own custom made vows. Once you identify the things that are the most important to you, then you can decide how best to express them.

Some Questions to Get You Started

· When and where did you first meet? · What was the state of your life before the two of you met? · At what point did you realize you were in love? Describe the feeling. · What inspires you about your loved one? · What life goals and dreams do you share? · What have you learned from each other? · What qualities make your love unique? What qualities will keep it strong? · How has your view of the world changed since you fell in love? · What do you most look forward to about life with this person? · What are some special moments in your relationship, either happy or sad, humorous or profound? To get more ideas, visit our Resource page and you will be creating your personalized wedding vows in no time!